On Thursday, the community tried to come to terms with the crash, after an already emotional week from the Boston Marathon bombings.

"To have this happen shortly thereafter, it's difficult, I think, for people to process, never mind adolescents," said Rob Reardon, principal of Essex High School.

The crash victim, Rosemary Hollwedel, 54, was a math tutor at the school.

Police said Hollwedel rear-ended a school bus carrying the high school girls' tennis team. Her SUV then veered into the other lane and struck an Essex police cruiser. The officer went to the hospital. Hollwedel died at the scene.

"It is the tennis team who was there, but it's more than that because of students and staff that know Rosie," said Reardon.

The Essex Police Department is also in mourning. Hollwedel is the wife of a lieutenant there. Police Chief Brad LaRose told News Channel 5 on the phone, the department is doing everything it can to support him and the officer hurt in the accident.

Back at Essex High, Reardon is doing the same thing, making sure counselors are available to any who need one.

"You want to make the attempt for people to be available to help and to have conversations to try and gain some understanding of this, which is very difficult," said Reardon.

It's another heartbreak, after a week of senseless tragedies.

"Challenging times, I'd say," said Reardon.

LaRose said the officer involved in the crash suffered multiple cuts and needed stitches but has been released from the hospital.

No one in the school bus was injured.

State police have taken over the accident investigation. On Thursday they said it's ongoing and that they still aren't sure what caused the crash.